Lesson #9. SCRIPTURE MEMORY + MEDITATION.

KEY TRUTH: A plan to help you Memorise and Meditate on key Bible verses to increase your dependence on God’s promises and instructions on your faith journey.

PREAMBLE:

1. In lesson # 7 on What to know about a Quiet Time we learnt about the helpful acrostic SPECK that raises questions to help you identify …
   i. A Sin to avoid or confess,
   ii. A Promise to claim,
   iii. An Example to follow,
   iv. A Command to obey,
   v. Or Knowledge about God.
2. Though most of us struggle to remember things, it pays to persist because having the Scriptures ready for use will greatly increase our confidence.
3. Scripture Memory will help you make the most out of the principles, promises, and insights the Bible provides. It will increase your faith and confidence since – 17 Faith comes from hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ (Rom.10:17).
4. The following ten insights below will encourage you gain the maximum from your Bible Memorisation and Meditation …

I. THE BLESSINGS OF SCRIPTURE MEMORY:

1. INCREASING FAITH: God can use them to increase your faith in Him (see Rom.10:17).
2. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION: They give you a rational basis for assurance (see 1 Jn.5:13).
3. DISCERNING TRUTH FROM ERROR: Their truths will help you discern what is right from wrong.
4. MAKING SCRIPTURE USABLE: They can help you to locate key verses in the Bible.
5. DIRECTION FOR PRAYING: They can guide you to pray what pleases God (see Jms.4:1-3)
6. GAINING GUIDANCE FOR LIFE: The memory verses help you in key areas of your life.
7. HELP IN COUNSELLING OTHERS: They are readily available to help you to counsel others.
8. CONFIDENCE TO WITNESS: They enable you to have gospel verses at your disposal.
9. VICTORY OVER SIN: They can give you mastery over temptation and sin (see Ps.119:9 & 11).
10. OVERCOMING ANXIETY: They are an antidote against fear and anxiety (see Phil.4:6-7).
11. PERSONAL WORSHIP: The wonder of Bible truths can assist you to worship God anywhere.
12. PLEASING GOD BY YOUR FAITH: They assist you to exercise faith and so please God (see Heb.11:6).
    • Scripture Memory will help timid Christians to become followers who know they are pleasing to God … and so much more.

II. SPREAD THE BLESSING BY INVOLVING ANOTHER PERSON:

1. It will personally bless you to memorise the Scriptures. By setting up a regular time when you rehearse the Bible verses with someone else, you include them in the blessing.
2. It is much easier to repeat and check your progress with another person who can immediately stop you from memorising incorrectly.
3. You will learn your memory verses more quickly if you are able to rehearse these with someone else.
4. The technology of today can make learning Scripture even easier by doing it over the phone. However, you will need to discipline yourself to do your memorisation before you get onto the other news of the day!

III. TOPICS SUMMARISE THE CONTENT OF THE VERSE:

1. In the Schedule of the Bible Memory Verses for learning the verse is preceded by a Topic and Bible reference.
2. The Topic gives meaning and context to the Bible verse and helps you to identify the context of the verse you are learning.
3. When memorising the Scripture, you should learn the Topic first. This helps you to recall the right verse for sharing, counselling, and witnessing.

IV. MEMORISING THE BIBLE REFERENCES:

1. After learning the Topic, recite the Bible Reference. The reference makes it possible for you to find the memorised verses in your Bible for personal use and helping others.
2. The Schedule of the Bible Memory Verses begins (after the Topic) and ends with the Bible Reference. This helps connect the Bible verse with the Bible Reference in your mind.
3. While reciting and reviewing Memory Verses make it your practice to repeat the Topic first, then the Bible Reference, then the Memory Verse, and end with the Bible Reference again.

V. FIND YOUR BEST TIME TO MEMORISE SCRIPTURE:

1. There are some obvious times to do Scripture Memory …
   i. When you get up. Combine it with your Personal Quiet Time or your Family Devotional time.
   ii. Morning break.
   iii. During your Lunch break.
   iv. Before you go to bed at night.
2. You may be an ‘early bird’ that functions best early or ‘an owl’ who is more alert in the evening. Fit it in with your ‘body clock’ and time schedule.
3. Face the fact that no one HAS time. You must MAKE time for what is most important.
4. Remember, The Lord gave His best for you – He is worthy of your best!

VI. COLOUR THE VERSES IN YOUR BIBLE:

1. When you are given the Schedule of the Bible Memory Verses with your Disciple-Making lessons, take time to colour or underline the verses in your Bible.
2. 4 Jesus answered the devil – It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4). Though Jesus was God in the flesh (Jn.1:14), He only used Scriptures to repulse the attacks of the Evil One. We should follow His example.
3. It is very helpful when we go through trials or need guidance to be able to find the many promises and principles by which to live.

VII. TAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF THE CONTEXT OF THE VERSE:

1. When you colour or mark your verses in your Bible check out the context of the verse with reference to the whole chapter or book.
2. The most important question is to discover what God meant to reveal when His Word was given. Application is ‘what it means to me’ and must not be confused with what it seeks to convey.
3. You should get to know the outline of the Books of the Bible Contents accompanying the Disciple-Making lessons.

VIII. A PATTERN FOR LEARNING A BIBLE VERSE:

1. Here is a pattern for doing your Scripture Memory …
   i. Take the card that you have been assigned to learn.
   ii. Read through the card aloud a few times starting with the Topic, Bible Reference, the Bible Verse and then the Bible Reference again.
   iii. Then read the Topic, Bible Reference, and first phrase of the verse.
   iv. Once you are confident thus far, read the Topic, Bible Reference, and Bible Verse adding another phrase, or verse concluding with the Bible Reference.
2. If you have the advantage of someone to rehearse with, take it in turns until you are ‘word perfect’.
3. Review the Scripture Memory Verse throughout the week until your next Disciple-Making time.
4. Keep reviewing all the Bible Verses you are learning on a regular basis. Repetition is the best way to write the Bible Verses on your memory.

IX. VERBALLY EMPHASISE EACH WORD: 

1. When you have memorised the Bible Verse, it helps your Meditation to repeat the verses a word at the time, emphasising each word. For example …
   i. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4).
   ii. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4).
   iii. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4).
   iv. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4).
   v. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4).
   vi. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4).
   vii. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt.4:4) etc.

X. MEDITATE ON THE VERSE ONCE YOU HAVE MASTERED IT: 

1. Once you have mastered the Bible Verses you can now meditate on the truth at any time while driving, gardening etc.
2. Keep in mind that the Scriptures point to Jesus and should enhance your fellowship with Him.